Methods and systems are provided for fabricating polymer-based imprint lithography templates having thin metallic or oxide coated patterning surfaces. Such templates show enhanced fluid spreading and filling (even in absence of purging gases), good release properties, and longevity of use. Methods and systems for fabricating oxide coated versions, in particular, can be performed under atmospheric pressure conditions, allowing for lower cost processing and enhanced throughput.

The invention relates to a method for treating surfaces of an electronic card (4) by means of a plasma torch (1), said card (4) comprising a plurality of electronic components (C1a, C1b, C1c, C2a, C2b, C3a) and a plurality of surfaces to be treated, arranged at various heights relative to a reference plane (Ref) of the electronic card (4). At least one region to be treated (Zn) containing the surfaces to be treated is determined, strata (S1, S2, S3) which are parallel to said reference plane (Ref) and each contain at least one surface to be treated are determined, and then a torch movement path is generated such that: the surfaces are treated, stratum by stratum; for each stratum, the torch is exclusively moved in parallel with the reference plane (Ref); during the projection of the plasma flow (2), each treated surface is exclusively placed in the ideal working zone (Pt).

The invention relates to a method for treating surfaces of an electronic card (4) by means of a plasma torch (1), said card (4) comprising a plurality of electronic components (C1a, C1b, C1c, C2a, C2b, C3a) and a plurality of surfaces to be treated, arranged at various heights relative to a reference plane (Ref) of the electronic card (4). At least one region to be treated (Zn) containing the surfaces to be treated is determined, strata (S1, S2, S3) which are parallel to said reference plane (Ref) and each contain at least one surface to be treated are determined, and then a torch movement path is generated such that: the surfaces are treated, stratum by stratum; for each stratum, the torch is exclusively moved in parallel with the reference plane (Ref); during the projection of the plasma flow (2), each treated surface is exclusively placed in the ideal working zone (Pt).

Plasma applications are disclosed that operate with argon or helium at atmospheric pressure, and at low temperatures, and with high concentrations of reactive species in the effluent stream. Laminar gas flow is developed prior to forming the plasma and at least one of the electrodes can be heated which enables operation at conditions where the argon or helium plasma would otherwise be unstable and either extinguish, or transition into an arc. The techniques can be employed to clean and activate a metal substrate, including removal of oxidation, thereby enhancing the bonding of at least one other material to the metal.

Plasma applications are disclosed that operate with argon or helium at atmospheric pressure, and at low temperatures, and with high concentrations of reactive species in the effluent stream. Laminar gas flow is developed prior to forming the plasma and at least one of the electrodes can be heated which enables operation at conditions where the argon or helium plasma would otherwise be unstable and either extinguish, or transition into an arc. The techniques can be employed to clean and activate a metal substrate, including removal of oxidation, thereby enhancing the bonding of at least one other material to the metal.

An embodiment includes a system comprising: a monolithic shape memory polymer (SMP) foam having first and second states; wherein the SMP foam includes: (a) polyurethane, (b) an inner half portion having inner reticulated cells defined by inner struts, (c) an outer half portion, having outer reticulated cells defined by outer struts, surrounding the inner portion in a plane that provides a cross-section of the SMP foam, (d) hydroxyl groups chemically bound to outer surfaces of both the inner and outer struts. Other embodiments are discussed herein.

An embodiment includes a system comprising: a monolithic shape memory polymer (SMP) foam having first and second states; wherein the SMP foam includes: (a) polyurethane, (b) an inner half portion having inner reticulated cells defined by inner struts, (c) an outer half portion, having outer reticulated cells defined by outer struts, surrounding the inner portion in a plane that provides a cross-section of the SMP foam, (d) hydroxyl groups chemically bound to outer surfaces of both the inner and outer struts. Other embodiments are discussed herein.

Provided is a member surface treatment method for treating a surface of a member containing a crystallizable thermoplastic resin by a dry treatment, wherein the dry treatment is performed so as to satisfy the following conditions X and Y. Condition X: .sup.d/.sup.d0 is not less than 1.0 and less than 1.4. Condition Y: .sup.p/.sup.p0 is not less than 1.2 and less than 40. .sup.d0 is a non-polar component of surface free energy of the surface before the dry treatment, .sup.d is a non-polar component of surface free energy of the surface after the dry treatment, .sup.p0 is a polar component of surface free energy of the surface before the dry treatment, and .sup.p is a polar component of surface free energy of the surface after the dry treatment.

Provided is a member surface treatment method for treating a surface of a member containing a crystallizable thermoplastic resin by a dry treatment, wherein the dry treatment is performed so as to satisfy the following conditions X and Y. Condition X: .sup.d/.sup.d0 is not less than 1.0 and less than 1.4. Condition Y: .sup.p/.sup.p0 is not less than 1.2 and less than 40. .sup.d0 is a non-polar component of surface free energy of the surface before the dry treatment, .sup.d is a non-polar component of surface free energy of the surface after the dry treatment, .sup.p0 is a polar component of surface free energy of the surface before the dry treatment, and .sup.p is a polar component of surface free energy of the surface after the dry treatment.

A medical device including a plasma-treated porous substrate that is functionalized to provide a hydrophilic surface, and a process for preparing such a medical device, are disclosed. The method includes plasma treating at least a portion of a surface of a porous substrate with a gas species selected from oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and combination thereof. The gas species is configured to functionalize the surface of the medical device and form a hydrophilic surface.